Question

: Sam is 12 years older than John. For the last four years, Sam and John have been friends. Five years ago, Sam was 5 times as old as John. How old is Sam now?

Answer 1

Answer:

The present age of Sam is 20 years .

Step-by-step explanation:

Given as :

Let The age of John =  J years

Let The age of Sam = S years

∵ Sam is 12 years older than John

so,  The age of Sam = 12 + The age of John

i.e S = 12 + J            .....1

Again

Before 5 years ago

The age of Sam = 5 times age of John

So, (S - 5) = 5 × (J - 5)

Or, S - 5 = 5 J - 25

Or, 5 J - S = 25 - 5

Or, 5 J - S = 20                  .........2

Solving eq 1 and eq 2

[5 J - (12 + J)] = 20

Or, 5 J - 12 - J = 20

Or, 4 J = 20 + 12

Or, 4 J = 32

∴ J = $\frac{32}{4}$

i.e J = 8 years

So, The age of John = J = 8 years

Put The value of J into eq 1

∵ S = 12 + J

So, S = 12 + 8

i.e S = 20 years

So, The present age of Sam = S = 20 years .

Hence, The present age of Sam is 20 years . Answer

Answer 2

Answer:

Sam is 20 years old now.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

Sam is 12 years older than John.

For the last four years, Sam and John have been friends.

Five years ago, Sam was 5 times as old as John.

Now, to find the age of Sam now.

Let the age of Sam be $x.$

And the age of John be $y.$

As, Sam is 12 years older than John.

Thus, $x=12+y$ .....( 1 )

Now, to get the age:

According to question:

$x-5=5(y-5)$

$x-5=5y-25$

$x=5y-20$ .....( 2 )

Now, substituting the value of equation (1) in equation (2) we get:

$12+y=5y-20$

Getting the variables in one side and numbers on the other we get:

$12+20=5y-y$

$32=4y$

Dividing both sides by 4 we get:

$8=y$

$y=8.$

The age of John = 8 years.

Now, putting the value of $y$ in equation (1) we get:

$x=12+y$

$x=12+8\\x=20.$

Age of Sam = 20 years.

Therefore, Sam is 20 years old now.